Oktoberfest 2013: Best Places To Visit In NYC During German Beer Holiday

Since 1810, with the exception of one year, Oktoberfest is a yearly festival celebrated with endless barrels of beer, classic Germany food and tons of good friends. Originally a product of Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest has since spread to a nearly worldwide celebrated event. The first Oktoberfest celebrated the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The celebrated of their nuptials was so grand, that the newlyweds decided to repeat it every year. By the end of the 1920s Munich had become a hot spot for travelers during the fall months with tens of thousands tourists visiting each year.

Mugs of beer are pictured during the Oktoberfest in Munich.Photo: Reuters

Since Oktoberfest came to fruition 200 years ago, it has since become a staple of our fall to-do list. Including everything from carnival booths, contests, food and lots of drinks, the monthlong celebration has become somewhat of a holiday in its own right. Initially the celebrations took place under a massive tent that housed the festivities. However, today, entire city blocks are closed off to allow the guests to move freely from place to place enjoying everything the festival has to offer.

Of all the cities that celebrate Oktoberfest around the world, New York City has a reputation for providing party seekers with the best possible options short of actually going to Germany.

A waitress carries the traditional 1-litre beer mugs at the opening of the Munich Oktoberfest September 17, 2011.Photo: Reuters

Here are the Best Places in NYC to visit during Oktoberfest:

Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten

This year, Oktoberfest happens to fall on Loreley’s 10-year anniversary. So, they are certainly taking the festivities up a notch. Spanning from Sept. 21 - Oct. 31, this is the longest Oktoberfest celebration in the U.S. Loreley will be serving tradition Oktoberfest beers on tap including Spaten Oktoberfest, Schneider Wiesen Edel-Weisse and many more. The restaurant will be hosting two events throughout the month, one sausage tasting festival and beer tasting dinners.

7 Rivington St.

New York, NY

(212) 253-7077

Zum Schneider

Owned and operated by a native of Bavaria, you can imagine the thought that is put into their yearly Oktoberfest. This restaurant and beer hall in located in Alphabet City and is open for long afternoons of fun and beers. Importing fresh brews from Germany along with supplying the best of classic German dishes, Zum Schneider is really all day fun.

107 Avenue C

(212) 598-1098

Spritzenhaus

Located at McCarren Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this massive bar offers you big pretzels, bratwurst, over 25 beers on tap, and more than 6,000 square feet of space to enjoy it all in. Spritzenhaus has massive 25 person communal tables so you can really sit down with your friends and just have a good time.

33 Nassau Ave.

(347) 987-4632

Bierhaus

This bar has beers exclusively from Munic’s Hofbrau. For Oktoberfest, they take it up a notch by bringing in live music and keg tapping. Really, what more can you ask for during Oktoberfest? Serving up all the traditional Germany specialties, costumes included, this place should definitely be at the top of your list.

712 3rd Avenue at 45th Street

(212) 867-2337

Radegast Hall & Biergarten

Located in Williamsburg Brooklyn, this beer hall is known for its incredible Oktoberfest celebration. They provide live music, give away free tastings of seasonal brews, host competitions and have an elaborate menu full of your favorite foods. The best part is that the festival is held under a tent, so you may feel like you’re actually in Germany.